SLOUGH Town joint-manager Neil Baker has explained that reaching the first round proper in the FA Cup is what all non-league footballers dream about.

The Rebels have fond memories in the cup having reached the second round last season, where they lost to Rochdale from the Football League live on BT Sport.

Slough travel to Eastbourne Borough in a fourth qualifying round tie this Saturday (3pm), which is worth over £25,000 to the winners plus a potential first round draw against a club from the Football League.

Baker told the Observer: “There’s a lot of money riding on it, but it is not about that, it’s about getting into the first round proper and drawing a league side away from home.

“Both sides will be looking to do that on Saturday and it’s what any non-league footballer dreams about doing each year.

“Reading the first round proper is huge for managers and players. We’re just one win away from getting there and that’s what we all want to do.

“The FA Cup is the perfect tournament and one more win gives you the possibility of drawing Sunderland or Portsmouth away, two big sides from the Football League in the next round.

“We’ve been there before and played in front of the tv cameras last year, and we all want to do it again this season.”

Slough won 4-2 at their National League South rivals Eastbourne five weeks ago and despite playing with 10-men for most of the match, but Baker has warned their hosts will be looking for revenge.

He said: “League matches versus FA Cup games are very different, so this will be completely different compared to when we played them previously.

“Eastbourne will be trying to get revenge on us because it was a great win in the league.

“For me, it’s a 50-50 game, we could win it or we could lose, and I’m sure it will be an exciting but tough match.

“Eastbourne have made a couple of signings since we last played them. They’re a good side going forward but have conceded a few goals recently.

“They only lost once before we beat them and that was to Woking, so we’re under no illusions about how tough it will be.

“But, training has been positive because of the position we’re in.”